Comparison of Treadmill Based and Track Based Rockport 1 Mile Walk Test For Estimating Aerobic Capacity in Healthy Adults Ages 30-50 Years

International Journal of Health Sciences and Research
www.ijhsr.org ISSN: 2249-9571
Short Communication
Comparison of Treadmill Based and Track Based

Rockport 1 Mile Walk Test for Estimating Aerobic
Capacity in Healthy Adults Ages 30-50 Years
Rekha Chaturvedi, Sivachidambaram Kulandaivelan, Vandana Yadav
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Physiotherapy, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology,
Hisar-125001. Haryana. India
Corresponding Author: Rekha Chaturvedi
ABSTRACT
The aim of the present paper was to compare the treadmill based submaximal test with the standard
field based submaximal test to estimate aerobic power in Indian middle aged population. Study type is
correlational study based on cross-sectional survey. 40 subjects aged 30-50 years were randomly
selected following specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. 1-mile walk test was conducted 3 times (2
times on treadmill and 1 time on track) with at least 4 days gap in-between the tests. Aerobic power
was calculated using standard formula. Data was analysed using IBM-SPSS software (version 21.0).
Treadmill based tests estimated higher aerobic power than track based test. There was a moderate
correlation between track based and treadmill based aerobic power estimation (r 0.640). The
relationship was excellent between the treadmill based tests (r 0.960). This study shows treadmill
based 1-mile walk test is a reproducible test in Indian middle aged population.
Key Words: Walk test, Exercise test, Oxygen consumption, Middle aged, Human
INTRODUCTION cardiovascular disease or associated risk

Cardiovascular endurance is an factors adds to the challenge of
important component of an individual administering maximal exercise tests to
fitness and VO2 max estimation is widely assess VO2. Submaximal tests like step
considered to be an excellent indicator of tests, walk and/or run tests are useful to
cardiorespiratory fitness. [1] This can be measure VO2max in these individuals. [2]
measured in two ways: direct and indirect Many indirect methods of measuring
methods. However, direct measurement is VO2 max using submaximal tests has been
the most accurate but has several drawbacks developed [2,3] but the advantages and
(i.e) expensive, time consuming hence may limitations of these tests has been reported
not be suitable for population based studies. by Sartor et al. who highlighted the
[2]
Moreover, direct assessment of VO2 max importance of repeatability of submaximal
requires a maximal or near-maximal effort tests in these population to be studied. [4]
from the subject, which is often difficult to Developed by Kline et al. Rockport
elicit from individuals with low 1-mile walk test is one of common method
cardiorespiratory fitness especially middle to estimate VO2 max in different age group.
[5]
and older population. The need for direct A modification of Rockport test was
supervision by a physician when evaluating suggested by Widrick et al., 1992 that
older individuals or those with known performing this test on laboratory as well as
International Journal of Health Sciences & Research (www.ijhsr.org) 215

Vol.8; Issue: 1; January 2018
Rekha Chaturvedi et al. Comparison of Treadmill Based Walk Test with Standard Rockport Testing
on field would increase its utility. On baseline, body weight to nearest

Performing Rockport 1 mile test on to 1.0 kg and height to the nearest to 1.0 cm
treadmill would improve close subject were measured. Participants were instructed
monitoring and allows testing when not to take good sleep (at least 6-8 hrs) and to
having access to measured miles also, avoid too much food, caffeine, tobacco
controlled lab environment would improve products or alcohol for 3 hours prior to
the reliability and repeatability. Since it is testing. [2] Participants were also asked to
done in track, environmental factors could avoid strenuous exercise 12 hrs prior to
affect the estimation which could be testing.Out of the forty subjects 2 females
prevented by treadmill based estimation. were not able to complete the treadmill test
Reliability of treadmill based 1-mile walk on Day 1 because of exertion so were
test was first reported by Widrick et al. [6] excluded from the study.
subsequently published in Indian literature Following a familiarization trial on
too. [7] But it has to be seen whether it can day 1 each subject was asked to walk
be administered in Indian middle aged briskly on electromechanical flat treadmill
population or not. So the purpose of this [Bodyfit, India] for 1-mile. On day 5, the
study is to determine whether Rockport 1 subjects were asked to 1-mile brisk walk on
mile testing on treadmill is better method of a track and a Pedometer was used to
estimating VO2 max than standard method measure the distance. The subjects were
of Rockport 1 mile walk test in Indian reminded to maintain the speed throughout
population. the test without running or jogging. On day
10 the subjects completed the testing after
MATERIALS AND METHODS walking on treadmill again for 1 mile.
Forty subjects (20 male and 20 Aerobic power was calculated using
females) age ranging from 30 years to 50 following formula:
years were selected by convenient sampling VO2max [ml.kg-1.min-1] =132.853 - 0.0769
from the neighbourhood. The participants (weight in pounds) - 0.3877 (age in years) +
were excluded if they had history of 6.315 (1 for male; 0 for female) - 3.2649
cardiovascular disease; back pain from last (time in minutes) - 0.1565 (heart rate in
1 months; knee pain from last 1 month and beats.min-1)
are on blood pressure medications and had Statistical Analysis
no history of acute or chronic medical Data was analysed using IBM-SPSS
condition. The qualified participants were software (version 21.0). Pearson Co-relation
asked to read and sign an informed consent was used to determine the co-relation
form. between the variables.
Each selected participant were asked
to complete 3 exercise tests: 1 mile brisk RESULTS
walking on treadmill on baseline and after Mean (standard deviation) of VO2
rest of 4 days one mile brisk walking on the max on 1st time (T1) and 2nd time (T2) on
track followed by one mile brisk walking on treadmill was 34.68 (9.99) ml.Kg -1.min-1
treadmill again with a gap of 4 days . Time and 35.21 (9.67) ml.Kg.min-1 respectively
taken to complete the distance and heart rate suggesting no significant difference between
(HR) at the end of tests were recorded along the readings. However, track based value for
with age and sex. HR was measured with a VO2 max was significantly lower [22.29
pulseoxymeter and the time to complete the (14.66)] than treadmill based. 4 female
distance was noted with a stop watch. Each participants reading were excluded as their
test was conducted on separate day with at VO2 max was too low (negative readings).
least 4 days gap in between the tests to An excellent correlation exists (r
eliminate possible fatigue effects. [8] 0.960) between 1st and 2nd treadmill based
value for VO2 max (Figure 1), but the level

of correlation decreased when the values We assumed that since both time and
were correlated with track based VO2 max HR are in equation for calculation of
(r 0.640 for T1 and 0.646 for T2). VO2 max, intensity of effort would not
influence the VO2 max estimation as latter
has negative association with HR (i.e. if
intensity of effort high, individual would
finish short duration with higher HR). But
the results of this study suggests that
whenever the duration of completing the
distance exceeds 20 minutes, it affects the
value of VO2 max greater than the end HR.
Hence while selecting the speed of
treadmill, it should be 5 Km.hr-1 at starting
point and speed should be adjusted with HR
(120 to 160 beats.min-1) in this population.
If the HR is above 160 beats.min-1 speed of
the treadmill should be reduced and if it is
below 120 beats.min-1 speed of the treadmill
DISCUSSION should be increased to get the appropriate
The objective of this paper was to values of VO2 max of the individual. Thus,
see whether treadmill based 1-mile walk test initial selection of speed followed by
is a better way of estimating VO2 max than adjusting the speed according to HR is
standard track based method in middle aged important for appropriate estimation of VO2
Indian population. The results showed that max.
there is excellent correlation between two
trails of treadmill walking whereas CONCLUSION
moderate correlation is observed between Treadmill based 1 mile walk test is a
treadmill based and track based walking reliable method to estimate VO2 max in
tests. Treadmill based walking test estimates middle aged Indian population. It could be
higher VO2 max than track based walk test. used as indirect method to assess aerobic
Pober et al., 2002 studied the fitness in large scale, population based
correlation between treadmill based 1-mile studies.
walk test and actual VO2 max through
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How to cite this article: Chaturvedi R, Kulandaivelan S, Yadav V. Comparison of Treadmill

based and Track based Rockport 1 mile walk test for estimating aerobic capacity in healthy
adults ages 30-50 years. Int J Health Sci Res. 2018; 8(1):215-218.
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International Journal of Health Sciences and Research

www.ijhsr.org ISSN: 2249-9571

Comparison of Treadmill Based and Track Based

INTRODUCTION cardiovascular disease or associated risk

International Journal of Health Sciences & Research (www.ijhsr.org) 215

on field would increase its utility. On baseline, body weight to nearest

International Journal of Health Sciences & Research (www.ijhsr.org) 216

International Journal of Health Sciences & Research (www.ijhsr.org) 217

How to cite this article: Chaturvedi R, Kulandaivelan S, Yadav V. Comparison of Treadmill

International Journal of Health Sciences & Research (www.ijhsr.org) 218

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